Foster care is intended to be temporary. If a court determines that it is not in a child’s best interest to return home, the Public Children Services Agency (PSCA) will take steps to find an alternative, permanent placement for the child. Such placements may include adoption or legal guardianship.

You may be single or married.

Children in foster care are eligible for medical coverage through Medicaid. Foster families receive subsidies to help meet children’s daily living needs.

Foster parents are expected to be active and involved in the child’s case. This means attending court hearings, school meetings and functions; providing routine transportation for the child; and communicating regularly with caseworkers and service providers.

Foster parents often continue to encourage and support the child and family after the child returns home. Foster parents often work directly with the child’s parents. They help teach them skills and encourage them. Foster parents are also expected to be active and involved in the child’s case.

Foster parents care for children until a court decides that they can return home safely or be placed with adoptive parents or legal guardians. Most children return to their parents or another relative within a year, but sometimes it takes longer. As a child’s foster parent, you agree to care